Spike-extractor.



PATBNTED SEPT. a, 1908.

G. W. RIT

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APPLICA TBRSB R. KE EXTR 0R.

TION FILED MAR. 30, 1906.

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GEORGE W. RITTERSBAOH, JR., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OFONE- FOURTH TO AMOS H. KAIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPIKE-EXTRACTOR.

Application filed March 30,1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. BITTERS- BAoI-r, Jr., a citizen of theUnited States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Spike-Extractor, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention consists of a spike extractor embodying a draft bar, jawsconnected with the same and means including a removable dog and a leverconnected therewith for operating said bar, whereby said jaws close on aspike and take firm hold thereof, so that the spike follows the bar andis extracted.

It also consists of details of construction as will be hereinafter setforth. l

Figure l represents a partial vertical section and partial sideelevation of a spike extractor embodying my invention. Fig. 2 representsa vertical section of a portion on line -x Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents aside elevation of a portion at a right angle to Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in thefigures.

Referring tothe drawings: A designates a standard whose upper part Aconstitutes a guiding sleeve for said bar and in which is fitted themovable draft bar B, partly of the form of a rack as at C, the teeth ofwhich are adapted to be engaged by the dog D which is pivotally mountedon the upper portion of said standard and is provided with the operatinghandle or lever E whereby by proper motion of the latter, said dog maycause the successive elevation of said bar. On said portion is alsomounted the check pawl E which is also adapted to engage the ratchet Gon the side of bar B in order to prevent improper descent of said bar.

I-I designates inwardly projecting jaws which are adapted to engage aspike to be extracted, it being, noticed that said jaws are connectedwith the lower members J of toggiesv K, the upper members L of which arepivotally connected with the lower end of the bar B and dependtherefrom.

Connected with the members J are springs M which bear inwardly againstthe jaws H to assist in closing the same, it being noticed that whensaid bar is lowered, said jaws may separate or be separated so that theymay be fitted over a spike below the head thereof and when said bar israised, said jaws `owing to action of the springs M immediately begin toSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 8, 1908.

Serial No. 308,990.

close toward the spike and locate under the head thereof, so as tounfailingly engage the latter preparatory to the gripping action of thejaws on the spike. Then as the bar continues to rise, the jawspositively grip the spike below the head, and so take firm hold of thesame, the spike then follows the jaws, and so is extracted.

The springs M are of the order of plate springs and they occupy theexterior of the toggles and aws, whereby they may be firmly riveted orotherwise secured in position on said toggles and conveniently locatedon the jaws, while being easily accessible for replacement in the eventof breaking. By the employment of plate springs, the same are powerfulin causing the quick engagement of the jaws with the spike, so that saidjaws will not slip on the head of the spike when the jaws begin to rise.These springs each have one end bearing against the head of one jaw andtheir other ends secured to the lower members J of the toggles at apoint above the pivotal point between said jaws and lower members, thusdoubly exerting pressure on the jaws to close them.

When the spike is extracted the pawl F is thrown out from the ratchet Gand the dog D moved from the teeth of the rack bar, when the latterlowers and operates the toggles in such manner that the jaws I-Iseparate and clear the spike, the effect of which is evident. The dog Dhas its journal D mounted on ears D2 which extend outwardly from thesleeve of the standard, the slots D3 (shown dotted) in said earswhichreceive said journals being open at their outer terminals forming abifurcation by which provision, said journals mayD be moved into and outof position by sliding motions, said slots extending obliquely downwardso that when the lever E is de ressed in order to raise the draft bar B,sai journal occupies the inner terminal of said slot and so is preventedfrom upward shifting and displacement, it being evident that owing tothe open slots D2 the lever E and with it the dog D may be lifted off ofthe ears D2 and thus removed from the body of the device convenient forcarrying, packing and transportation.

Vhen the device is to be used, the lever is conveniently fitted u on theears D2 when the 'dog is immediate y in condition for action to raisethe bar B and consequently the for retaining the leverEin o erativeposition, other than the walls of the s ots D3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a spike extractor, a standard having a vertically extended guideportion, a rack bar movable therein, means for actuating said rack bar,inwardly projecting aws pivotally connected together. and their upperportions Jforming the lower members of a toggle, the latter having uppermembers, which are pivotally connected with the lower end of the rackbar, and springs connected with the toggles and extending substantiallyin line with said bar and in opposite directions beyond the pivot of thejaws and bearing against the outer `faces of the latter.

2. In a spike extractor of the character stated, an elevating bar, aguide in which it is vertically movable, means Jfor moving said barvertically step by step, means for automatically holding said bar in itselevated position, a toggle pivotally connected with said bar, a jawextending from the lower members of said toggles, and a spring extendingin the direction of the length of the bar and connected at one end withsaid toggle and being -freely at the other end on said jaw, and bearingon the exterior faces of said toggle and jaw.

3. In a spike extractor, a standard, a draft bar guided therein, meansfor actuating said draft bar vertically, a toggle pivotally cornectedwith said bar, jaws carried by the lower members of said toggles andsprings each having an end bearing against the outer `face of one aw andits otherend secured to the lower toggle member of the other jaw at apoint above the pivot of said jaws.

GEORGE W. RITTERSBACH, JR..

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsI-rnru, S. R. CARR.

